Vendee Globe Race - Gamesa still putting pressure on SynerCiel

Vendee Globe Race 2012-2013. Mike Golding is working hard, constantly reviewing the trim of Gamesa and the sailplan as he tries to hold on to fifth placed Jean Le Cam (SynerCiel).

In the 18-22kts of NE’ly trade winds, Golding is enduring the constant banging and bouncing as Gamesa slams into the waves as he progresses upwind, trying to find a better trim.

His frustration is exacerbated by the banging and slamming affecting an electrical short which makes his computer disconnect from the internet every few seconds and so he has not been able to download high grade weather information for two days now.

'It is very, very bouncy and every 30 seconds the computer disconnects so that is very annoying indeed because I have not had weather for a couple of days and that makes it difficult in the race against Jean.

'I have just been hemorrhaging miles against him and have done everything I can think of. At the moment I think I have slowed the rate of loss, and I am doing everything I can to get back at him.'

Le Cam has remained at 0.9 to one knot quicker than Golding over the last 24 hours and is 89 miles ahead this morning. He is 505 miles SW of the Cape Verde islands at 0400hrs UTC this morning.